2014 Ram 2500 Power Wagon First Look

America's Beloved Mass Production 4x4

When we talk about the new 2014 Ram trucks, the same question pops up every time: What about the Power Wagon? All we could do was hope and dream and wait -- until now. We've officially gotten word about the 2014 Ram Power Wagon and, of course, we're excited about this first mass-produced 4x4 pickup that started in 1945 and was reintroduced in 2005. The Power Wagon -- based on the gasoline Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4x4 Crew Cab -- is basically Ram's solution to terrain dominance via off-road-specific engineering enhancements. Three trim levels (Tradesman, SLT, and Laramie) determine exterior and interior design treatments. Up to 12 different colors will be offered. The bonus of a really cool factory off-road truck? You got it: a standard three-year/36,000 Basic Limited Warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

The 2014 Ram Power Wagon is powered by the new 6.4L Hemi 16-valve V-8, boasting 410 hp at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm and calibrated for off-road maneuverability and finesse. The transmission is a 66RFE six-speed automatic, which connects to a part-time, manual-engagement BorgWarner BW 44-47 transfer case. The axles are built by America Axle Manufacturing: a 9.25-inch in the front and 11.5-inch in the rear, both of which include electronic locking differentials. Power is delivered via a 4.10:1 ring and pinion ratio. The axle shafts measure 38 mm in the rear and 35 mm in the front. New for 2014 is the segment-exclusive front axle disconnect system across the Ram Heavy Duty truck line.

The three-link front suspension features Bilstein monotube shocks, more than 2 inches of lift, and the “Ram Articulink” design, which incorporates high-movement joints at the control-arm-to-axle mount, allowing for additional flexibility and axle articulation. Adding to this necessary suspension flex is a class-exclusive electronic disconnecting sway bar, which can be disengaged in-cab via the driver-actuated “Smart Bar.” The Power Wagon's rear suspension is the segment-exclusive, five-link coil system found on all Ram 2500 HD trucks, with the addition of Bilstein monotube shocks. Some models have a Bilstein damper that links the top of the rear axle to the frame. Payload is up to 1,490 pounds and towing capacity stands at 10,810 pounds.

The 2014 Power Wagon will be equipped with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, contributing to 14.5 inches of ground clearance -- 2.5 inches more than the Ram 2500 HD. A 34-degree approach angle, 23.5-degree departure angle, and 25.5-degree breakover angle make the Power Wagon agile on the trail. The underside is adorned in skidplates to protect from damage. The frame, which is built with high-strength 50,000-psi steel, is highlighted by eight separate crossmembers, hydroformed main rails, and fully boxed rear rails. As on all '14 Ram Heavy Duty trucks, expect four-wheel disc brakes, with front rotors measuring 14.17 inches and rear rotors 14.09 inches. A dual-alternator system contributes to 380 amps of total best-in-class output. A Warn 12,000-pound electric winch tucks elegantly inside the front bumper.

Identified by Ram as the most off-road-capable pickup truck in the market, the 2014 Ram Power Wagon, which will be built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico, promises to continue the Power Wagon legacy of more than 60 years. It will be introduced at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.